Welcome!

Linux can administer Windows!

Greetings and welcome to the Linux for Windows Admins blog.  The goal of this blog will be to address various needs that Windows admins have on a day-to-day basis using FOSS/Linux solutions to administer their networks.

I work full-time as a Network Consultant for a variety of small businesses from dentist offices and HVAC dealers to CAD shops and law firms.  The one unifying factor to all these networks is that they are exclusively Windows-based.  Every customer uses some flavor of Windows Standard or Small Business Server and all the client PCs use Windows operating systems (save for a handful of MAC systems and WYSE terminals).

Dell Latitude E4310

About 8 or 9 months ago, I decided to ditch Windows 8 in favor of Ubuntu Linux 12.10.  I use a Dell Latitude E4310 which has a fairly standard batch of hardware, though it was a touch on the newer side. Installing Ubuntu Linux was a breeze with the exception of the graphics and wireless drivers.  With a bit of research and a custom driver repository, I was up and running.

At first, the goal was to simply see if I could do it:  Could I effectively administrator dozens of Windows-based small business networks from a Linux laptop?

Surprisingly (or maybe not so), the answer has been a resounding 'Yes!'.

It works!

Of course, I have had to do my fair share of research and investigation along the way in order to get fully up-and-running.  There are a plethora of unique scenarios a small business sysadmin encounters and finding not only the right solution, but a solution that would also work in Linux has sometimes been a challenge. But, hey, it makes it that much sweeter when it's all working just the way you like it.

I hope you find value in what I post and maybe even have a little fun along the way.  Enjoy!